the price she paid-第9章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


de；　myself。　　All　I　say　is　that　I　am　willingif　the　goods　are　up　to　the　sample。''

Mildred　saw　her　stepfather　and　her　mother　watching　from　just　within　the　conservatory　door。　　A　movement　of　the　portiere　at　the　door　into　the　hall　let　her　know　that　Darcy；　the　butler；　was　peeping　and　listening　there。　　She　stood　up；　clenched　her　hands；　struck　them　together；　struck　them　against　her　temples；　crossed　the　room　swiftly；　flung　herself　down　upon　a　sofa；　and　burst　into　tears。　　Presbury　and　his　wife　entered。　　Siddall　was　standing；　looking　after　Mildred　with　a　grin。　　He　winked　at　Presbury　and　said：

‘‘I　guess　we　gave　her　too　much　of　that　wine。　　It's　all　old　and　stronger　than　you'd　think。''

‘‘My　daughter　hardly　touched　her　glasses；''　cried　Mrs。　Presbury。

‘‘I　know　that；　ma'am；''　replied　Siddall。　　‘‘I　watched　her。　　If　she'd　done　much　drinking；　I'd　have　been　done；　then　and　there。''

‘‘I　suspect　she's　upset　by　what　you've　been　saying；　General；''　said　Presbury。　　‘‘Wasn't　it　enough　to　upset　a　girl？　　You　don't　realize　how　magnificent　you　are　how　magnificent　everything　is　here。''

‘‘I'm　sorry　if　I　upset　her；''　said　the　general；　swelling　and　loftily　contrite。　　‘‘I　don　t　know　why　it　is　that　people　never　seem　to　be　able　to　act　natural　with　me。''　　He　hated　those　who　did；　regarding　them　as　sodden；　unappreciative　fools。

Mrs。　Presbury　was　quieting　her　daughter。　　Presbury　and　Siddall　lighted　cigars　and　went　into　the　smoking　and　billiard…room　across　the　hall。　　Said　Presbury：

‘‘I　didn't　deceive　you；　did　I；　General？''

‘‘She's　entirely　satisfactory；''　replied　Siddall。　　‘‘I'm　going　to　make　careful　inquiries　about　her　character　and　her　health。　　If　those　things　prove　to　be　all　right　I'm　ready　to　go　ahead。''

‘‘Then　the　thing's　settled；''　said　Presbury。　　‘‘She's　all　that　a　lady　should　be。　　And　except　a　cold　now　and　then　she　never　has　anything　the　matter　with　her。　　She　comes　of　good　healthy　stock。''

‘‘I　can't　stand　a　sickly；　ailing　woman；''　said　Siddall。　‘‘I　wouldn't　marry　one；　and　if　one　I　married　turned　out　to　be　that　kind；　I'd　make　short　work　of　her。　　When　you　get　right　down　to　facts；　what　is　a　woman？　　Why；　a　body。　　If　she　ain't　pretty　and　well；　she　ain't　nothing。　While　I'm　looking　up　her　pedigree；　so　to　speak；　I　want　you　to　get　her　mother　to　explain　to　her　just　what　kind　of　a　man　I　am。''

‘‘Certainly；　certainly；''　said　Presbury。

‘‘Have　her　told　that　I　don't　put　up　with　foolishness。　If　she　wants　to　look　at　a　man；　let　her　look　at　me。''

‘‘You'll　have　no　trouble　in　that　way；''　said　Presbury。

‘‘I　DID　have　trouble　in　that　way；''　replied　the　general　sourly。　　‘‘Women　are　foolsALL　women。　　But　the　principal　trouble　with　the　second　Mrs。　Siddall　was　that　she　wasn't　a　lady　born。''

‘‘That's　why　I　say　you'll　have　no　trouble；''　said　Presbury。

‘‘Well；　I　want　her　mother　to　talk　to　her　plainer　than　a　gentleman　can　talk　to　a　young　lady。　　I　want　her　to　understand　that　I　am　marrying　so　that　I　can　have　a　WIFEcheerful；　ready；　and　healthy。　　I'll　not　put　up　with　foolishness　of　any　kind。''

‘‘I　understand；''　said　Presbury。　　‘‘You'll　find　that　she'll　meet　all　your　conditions。''

‘‘Explain　to　her　that；　while　I'm　the　easiest；　most　liberal…spending　man　in　the　world　when　I'm　getting　what　I　want；　I　am　just　the　opposite　when　I'm　not　getting　what　I　pay　for。　　If　I　take　her　and　if　she　acts　right；　she'll　have　more　of　everything　that　women　want　than　any　woman　in　the　world。　　I'd　take　a　pride　in　my　wife。　There　isn't　anything　I　wouldn't　spend　in　showing　her　off　to　advantage。　　And　I'm　willing　to　be　liberal　with　her　mother；　too。''

Presbury　had　been　hoping　for　this。　　His　eyes　sparkled。　‘‘You're　a　prince；　General；''　he　said。　　‘‘A　genuine　prince。　　You　know　how　to　do　things　right。''

‘‘I　flatter　myself　I　do；''　said　the　general。　　‘‘I've　been　up　and　down　the　world；　and　I　tell　you　most　of　the　kings　live　cheap　beside　me。　　And　when　I　get　a　wife　worth　showing　of；　I'll　do　still　better。　　I've　got　wonderful　creative　ability。　　There　isn't　anything　I　can't　and　won't　buy。''

Presbury　noted　uneasily　how　cold　and　straight；　how　obviously　repelled　and　repelling　the　girl　was　as　she　yielded　her　fingers　to　Siddall　at　the　leave…taking。　　He　and　her　mother　covered　the　silence　and　ice　with　hot　and　voluble　sycophantry。　　They　might　have　spared　themselves　the　exertion。　　To　Siddall　Mildred　was　at　her　most　fascinating　when　she　was　thus　‘‘the　lady　and　the　queen。''　　The　final　impression　she　made　upon　him　was　the　most　favorable　of　all。

In　the　cab　Mrs。　Presbury　talked　out　of　the　fullness　of　an　overflowing　heart。　　‘‘What　a　remarkable　man　the　general　is！''　said　she。　　‘‘You've　only　to　look　at　him　to　realize　that　you're　in　the　presence　of　a　really　superior　person。　　And　what　tact　he　has！and　how　generous　he　is！and　how　beautifully　he　entertains！　So　much　dignityso　much　simplicityso　much''

‘‘Fiddlesticks！''　interrupted　Presbury。　　‘‘Your　daughter　isn't　a　damn　fool；　Mrs。　Presbury。''

Mildred　gave　a　short；　dry　laugh。

Up　flared　her　mother。　　‘‘I　mean　every　word　I　said！''　cried　she。　　‘‘If　I　hadn't　admired　and　appreciated　him；　I'd　certainly　not　have　acted　as　I　did。　　_I_　couldn't　stoop　to　such　hypocrisy。''

‘‘Fiddlesticks！''　sneered　Presbury。　　‘‘Bill　Siddall　is　a　horror。　　His　house　is　a　horror。　　His　dinner　was　a　horror。　　These　loathsome　rich　people！　　They're　ruining　the　worldas　they　always　have。　　They're　making　it　impossible　for　anyone　to　get　good　service　or　good　food　or　good　furniture　or　good　clothing　or　good　anything。　　They　don't　know　good　things；　and　they　pay　exorbitant　prices　for　showy　trash；　for　crude　vulgar　luxury。　　They　corrupt　taste。　　They　make　everyone　round　them　or　near　them　sycophants　and　cheats。　　They　substitute　money　for　intelligence　and　discrimination。　They　degrade　every　fine　thing　in　life。　　Civilization　is　built　up　by　brains　and　hard　work；　and　along　come　the　rich　and　rot　and　ruin　it！''

Mildred　and　her　mother　were　listening　in　astonishment。　Said　the　mother：

‘‘I'd　be　ashamed　to　confess　myself　such　a　hypocrite。''

‘‘And　I；　madam；　would　be　ashamed　to　be　such　a　hypocrite　without　taking　a　bath　of　confession　afterward；''　retorted　Presbury。

‘‘At　least　you　might　have　waited　until　Mildred　wasn't　in　hearing；''　snapped　she。

‘‘I　shall　marry　him　if　I　can；''　said　Mildred。

‘‘And　blissfully　happy　you'll　be；''　said　Presbury。　‘‘Women；　ladiestrue　ladies；　like　you　and　your　motherhave　no　sensibilities。　　All　you　ask　is　luxury。　If　Bill　Siddall　were　a　thousand　times　worse　than　he　is；　his　money　would　buy　him　almost　any　refined；　delicate　lady　anywhere　in　Christendom。''

Mrs。　Presbury　laughed　angrily。　　‘‘YOU；　talking　like　thisyou　of　all　men。　　Is　there　anything　YOU　wouldn't　stoop　to　for　money？''

‘‘Do　you　think　I　laid　myself　open　to　that　charge　by　marrying　you？''　said　Presbury；　made　cheerful　despite　his　savage　indigestion　by　the　opportunity　for　effective　insult　she　had　given　him　and　he　had　promptly　seized。　‘‘I　am　far　too　gallant　to　agree　with　you。　　But　I'm　also　too　gallant　to　contradict　a　lady。　　By　the　way；　you　must　be　careful　in　dealing　with　Siddall。　　Rich　people　like　to　be　fawned　on；　but　not　to　be　slobbered　on。　You　went　entirely　too　far。''

Mrs。　Presbury；　whom　indigestion　had　rendered　stupid；　could　think　of　no　reply。　　So　she　burst　into　tears。　‘‘And　my　own　daughter　sitting　silent　while　that　man　insults　her　mother！''　she　sobbed。

Mildred　sat　stiff　and　cold。

‘‘It'll　be　a　week　before　I　recover　from　that　dinner；''　Presbury　went　on　sourly。　　‘‘What　a　dinner！　　What　a　villainous　mess！　　These　vulgar；　showy　rich！　　That　champagne！　　He　said　it　cost　him　six　dollars　a　bottle；　and　no　doubt　it　did。　　I　doubt　if　it　ever　saw　France。　The　dealers　rarely　waste　genuine　wine　on　such　cattle。　The　wine…cellars　of　fine　houses　the　world　through　are　the　laughing…stock　of　connoisseurslike　their　picture…　galleries　and　their　other　attempts　to　make　money　do　the　work　of　taste。　　I　forgot　to　put　my　pills　in　my　bag。　I'll　have　to　hunt　up　an　all…night　drug…store。　　I'd　not　dare　go　to　bed　without　taking　an　antidote　for　that　poison。''

But　Presbury　had　not　been　altogether　improvident。　He　had　hoped　great　things　of　Bill　Siddall's　wine…cellar　this　despite　an　almost　unbroken　series　of　bitter　disillusionments　and　disappointments　in　experience　with　those　who　had　the　wealth　to　buy；　if　they　had　had　the　taste　to　select；　the　fine　wines　he　loved。　　So；　resolving　to　indulge　himself；　he　had　put　into　his　bag　his　pair　of　gout…boots。

This　was　a　device　of　his　own　inventing；　on　which　he　prided　himself。　　It　consisted　of　a　pair　of　roomy　doe…　skin　slippers　reenforced　with　heavy　soles　and　provided　with　a　set　of　three　thin　insoles　to　be　used　according　as　the　state　of　his　toes　made　advisable。　　The　cost　of　the　Presbury　gout…boot　had　been；　thanks　to　patient　search　for　a　cheap　cobbler；　something　under　four　dollars　this；　when　men　paid　shoe　specialists　twenty；　thirty；　and　even　forty　dollars　a　pair　for　gout…boots　that　gave　less　comfort。　　The　morning　after　the　dinner　at　which　he　had　drunk　to　drown　his　chagrin　and　to　give　him　courage　and　tongue　for　sycophantry；　he　put　on　the　boots。　Without　them　it　would　have　been　necessary　to　carry　him　from　his　room　to　a　cab　and　from　cab　to　train。　　With　them　he　was　able　to　hobble　to　a　street…car。　　He　tried　to　distract　his　mind　from　his　sufferings　by　lashing　away　without　ceasing　at　his　wife　and　his　step…daughter。

When　they　were　once　more　at　home；　and　the　mother　and　daughter　escaped　from　him；　the　mother　said：

‘‘I　was　glad　to　see　that　you　put　up　with　that　wretch；　and　didn't　answer　him　back。''

‘‘Of　course；''　said　Mildred。　　‘‘He's　mad　to　be　rid　of　me；　but　if　I　offended　him　he　might　snatch　away　this　chance。''

‘‘He　would；''　said　Mrs。　Presbury。　　‘‘I'm　sure　he　would。　　But''　she　laughed　viciously‘‘once　you're　married　you　can　revenge　yourselfand　me！''

‘‘I　wonder；''　said　Mildred　thoughtfully。

‘‘Why　not？''　exclaimed　her　mother；　irritated。

‘‘I　can't　make　Mr。　Presbury　out；''　replied　the　girl。　‘‘I　understand　why　he's　helping　me　to　this　chance；　but　I　don't　understand　why　he　isn't　making　friends　with　me；　in　the　hope　of　getting　something　after　I'm　married。''

Her　mother　saw　the　point；　and　was　instantly　agitated。　‘‘Perhaps　he's　simply　leading　you　on；　intending　to　up…　set　it　all　at　the　last　minute。''　　She　gritted　her　teeth。　‘‘Oh；　what　a　wretch！''

Mildred　was　not　heeding。　　‘‘I　must　have　General　Siddall　looked　up　carefully；''　she　went　on。　　‘‘It　may　be　that　he　isn't　rich；　or　that　he　has　another　wife　somewhere；　or　that　there's　some　other　awful　reason　why　marrying　him　would　be　even　worse　than　it　seems。''

‘‘Worse　than　it　seems！''　cried　her　mother。　　‘‘How　CAN　you　talk　so；　Milly！　　The　general　seems　to　be　an　ideal　husbandsimply　ideal！　　I　wish　_I_　had　your　chance。　　Any　sensible　woman　could　love　him。''

A　strange　look　came　into　the　girl's　face；　and　her　mother　could　not　withstand　her　eyes。　　‘‘Don't；　mother；''　she　said　quietly。　　‘‘Either　you　take　me　for　a　fool　or　you　are　trying　to　show　me　that　you　have　no　self…　respect。　　I　am　not　deceiving　myself　about　what　I'm　doing。''

Mrs。　Presbury　opened　her　lips　to　remonstrate；　changed　her　mind；　drew　a　deep　sigh。　　‘‘It's　frightful　to　be　a　woman；''　she　said。

‘‘To　be　a　lady；　Mr。　Presbury　would　say；''　suggested　Mildred。

After　some　discussion；　they　fixed　upon　Joseph　Tilker　as　the　best　available　investigator　of　General　Siddall。　Tilker　had　been　head　clerk　for　Henry　Gower。　　He　was　now　in　for　himse